The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-07
MIDDLEMAS'S EXPERIENCE

I've chapter IN the career OF the Rev.
Matthew Middlemas, some time pas
tor Of the Jones. Brown Memorial
Church at South Enderby. Gradu.
ating in the class Of 1876, in one of
our Eastern colleges, Middlemas i'm
mediately entered theological semi
nary, aud the fall OF 1880 found him
q licensed minister. Soon afterward
the South Enderby. Church, whose
pulpit was then vacant, invited him
to preach, and a call which he &C
cepted was the result. 1t was not
surprising that he received this call,
although the church was one Of the
strongest in that hourishing city.
Fol. Middlemas was young fellow
Of the first order. His was LARGE,
unselfsh soul, n vigorous mind, a
body as sound as a coin fresh from
the mint. After preaching two
years at South Enderby he took an
inventory. He found that his con-
gregation had increased in round
numbers from $50 to 800, while tho |
membership, as appeared from the |
church records, had advanced from
$40 to 369 His people we're greatly |
pleased. They saw 10 these figures
a confirmation OF their wisdom in |
calling Middlemas rather than any
other OF the many candidates TO |
whom they had listened. They were
convinced that it was clear case OF
the survival of the itt,st. Accord
ingly, TO attest their qualification,
they rendered him reception in the
lecture room Of the church aud
raised bis salary. lie absolutely de.
clined both the reception and the
500 advance. Naturally the church
was greatly surprised. But the truth
is that Mlddlemas was by no means
as we'll pleased with the outcome OF
his labors in South Enderby as they
were. When one OF his 1eacons for
whom he had come TO have great
liking rallied him on his refusal
either to be received or TO have his
income pleasantly meddled with, he
frankly confessed that he was dis
couraged.
Discouraged" exclaimed the as
touished deacon; what nonsense.
Why, dominic, you must have the
dyspepsia Figures don't lie. The
statistics you gave us in your ami
yersary sermon prove conclusively
that our church is greatly prosper.
ing under your administration. II
you'd been doing your best, as I'm
sure you have, aud had nothing to
show for il, even then it would be
your duty 10 be resigned. But since
you've been rewarded With the tan
gible fruits of success, TO complain
well, you've either been eating too
much lobster late at night or you
ought 10 be ashamed Of yourself"
Middlemas smiled, stared hard
into vacancy a moment with eyes
that we're not at all suggestive OF
late lobster or shame, aud then re-
piled, "Yes, | admit, Baxter, that
those auniyers ny figures were graft
flying, as such figures so. But the
trouble with them is that they fail 10
tell the whole truth. They prove too
much. How great an impression for
good has our church under my lead
ership made on the life OF this town
That's the crucia, test, isn't itY
What shall it rroft US as q religious
organization IL we increase in mum
bers il there is no corresponding in'
crease in efficient practical service
for the good cause2 You may reply
that the one includes the other
earnestly wish it did. but the facts
that confront me are stubborn
things"
What facts, dominica
well, there are more liquol
saloons 10 South Enderby than vile.
came here. So there arc more
rambling bells aud worse resorts.
know what am talking about, fol
I've been interviewing the chief o
police. | learn from equally gooC
authority that the bribery Of voter
at our local elections was never a,
general nor as shamelessly open a
it has been Of late. A paper wa
read few evenings since before tn
Municipal Reform Club showing I'll
disgraceiul condition OF the house
aud streets OF South Enderby's tene
mont district. Many grog shops ar
open on Sunday, although the lal
says all Of them shall be shut. sri
other grog shops are in full bias
that have no liclnse. | went int
one or our leading shops tho othc
DAY 10 order some Wv shirts. ~
had the conviction forced upon M
from the price askeu .Ur wat ga
clerk called our leading make ,
shirts. The Tip Ton that one
the departments Of the grei
house was devoted TO ii
naiarious business Of starvir
sewing women. You mu
admit, Brother Baxter, that the
facts more than offset those ann
yersary statistics. The balance
not ia my favor. The devil
rather more than holding his own
South Enderby, and |, for one, o
covered With shame and coniusi,
offace as think OF it. Not any r
ception nor increase Of salary for m
II you please.
There was an awkward pau.
Then Baxter, with a view to rea
suriug the pastor. ventured 10 quo'
when We have done all, we are u
profitable servants.
YES" assented Middlemas, wi
quizzical expression in his ey'
"but the fact that one has proved
be an Improbable servant is not
be REGARDED as prima facie eyiden
that he has done all. I'm very
from claiming in the retrospect q
I've done anything worth mentic
aDominie, remarked Baxl
affectionately laying his hand on